Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that Israel’s retreat to 1967 lines will bring peace to the region.
"If Israel withdraws to the 1967 borders, peace will prevail and we will implement a cease-fire for many years," Haniyeh said during an interview in his Gaza office. "Our government is prepared to maintain a long-term cease-fire with Israel."
Palestinian Transportation Minister Ziad Zaza, who was present at the interview commented that the Hudna, [cease-fire] will be renewed automatically.
Haniyeh criticized the Israel government for not taking into consideration the Palestinian government decision to allow the ministers to negotiate with Israel regarding day-to-day issues.
The decision, said Haniyeh, was one of the first that the Hamas government made, is considered to be part of an overall approach, although his government is ready for talks with Israel on practical matters, though not on ideological or political issues.
On the other hand, Haniyeh failed to give a clear statement about whether Hamas will adopt the 2002 Arab initiative saying "That is an issue between us and the Arabs."
The Arab initiative suggests a full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip for a full Arab normalization with Israel.
The initiative was suggested by the Saudi crown prince Abdullah, and then in Beirut’s summit in March 2002, the Arab nations adopted the initiative. Israel, however, rejected the initiative and reinvaded all the West Bank and tightened the siege on the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in his compound in Ramallah.
